Traverse City Rainy Day: Movies, Muffins, Shopping and History

Traverse City is hard to beat when the sun is shining over the beaches of West Bay, but on those days when time is best spent indoors there are plenty of Traverse city rainy-day offerings. Here are our top picks for an awesome time on an otherwise dreary day in Traverse City.

Catch a matinee at the historic State Theatre

Reopened in 2007 after being shuttered since 1991, downtown Traverse City’s historic State Theatre has a story almost as dramatic as the art-house films it’s known for today. In early 2005, Michigan native and adopted Traverse City hero, Michael Moore, spearheaded an effort to renovate the old movie palace, and the community responded by donating hundreds of thousands of dollars and almost as many in-kind volunteer hours. Today, the volunteer-run, state-of-the art State is again a full-service theater, boasting an unmatched lineup of indie films, tons of special events, and even 25-cent classic and children’s matinees. (Worth a visit just to see the replica of a summer night’s stars twinkling from the ceiling; and the seats: cushy!) Every summer, it’s also ground zero for the renowned Traverse City Film Festival. STATETHEATRETC.ORG.

You may need an umbrella for the outdoor shopping of Traverse City’s Downtown, but a wet day is the perfect excuse to delay in some of Northern Michigan’s best boutiques.

Hang Out in Traverse City’s Many Districts

Summer is high season for strolling and shopping downtown Traverse City. The heart of the action is the three-block stretch on Front Street between Boardman and Union Streets, home to dozens of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Lots of clothing and home accessories shops, independent bookstores, boutiques for babies, a toy store, gourmet food purveyors and more. Best of all? Many of the retailers showcase locally made goods, making it easy to shop Michigan made. Don’t forget to duck down the side-streets and alleys to find off-the-beaten-path shops. 231.922.2050, DOWNTOWNTC.COM.

The West End

On Front Street between Union and Division is a host of independent businesses. Highlights include a doggie boutique, a gourmet kitchen supply shop, a chocolatier and several specialty grocers with regional wines and fabulous food finds from around the region. 231.922.2050, DOWNTOWNTC.COM.

Old Town

On Union Street a few blocks south of Front Street is TC’s Old Town district, a handsome shopping district where the vibe shifts to more laid-back. Businesses here include galleries, boutiques, home goods stores, salons, a neighborhood grocer (with a renowned butcher counter) and a handful of casual restaurants, like Blue Tractor Cook Shop, where you can dig into burgers, comfort food and a post-shopping brew. 231.922.2050, DOWNTOWNTC.COM.

Warehouse District

In the 200 block of Garland Street between Front Street and Grandview Parkway, the Warehouse District offers a touch of urban edge in this little city. Formerly home to warehouses and factories, the area has been undergoing a renaissance, with an eclectic variety of shops and eateries moving in to take advantage of the spot’s primo location—just blocks from downtown and steps from the beaches on West Bay. 231.922.2050, DOWNTOWNTC.COM.

The Mercato at the Grand Traverse Commons

Find this expansive indoor marketplace on the garden level of Grand Traverse Commons’ historic Building 50—one of the gorgeous 19th-century buildings that make up the former Northern Michigan Asylum. The arched corridors, exposed brick alcoves and selection of fine boutiques make for an Old World European feel, which was exactly the developer’s intent—as a nod to the building’s architectural heritage as well as his own Italian roots. Find a jewelry boutique, furrier, yarn shop, fine art gallery, wine tasting room, bike shop, Michigan-made market and much more. THEVILLAGETC.COM

The South Side

About three miles south of Traverse City is a host of retailers on South Airport Road, anchored by Grand Traverse Mall (GRANDTRAVERSEMALL.COM) and Cherryland Center (CHERRYLANDCENTER.COM). The Mall is home to more than 100 shops, a food court, a nine-screen cinema and even an antique carousel. Cherryland includes a number of national retailers plus Opa! Coney and Grill, a sweet cafe and coney joint specializing in Greek and Polish food.

You don’t have to be an overnight guest at this resort to meander through the Gallery of Shops, a collection of inventive boutiques ranging from a toy store to gourmet foods boutique to a pro shop. New this year is Mud Pie, a store with hip clothing and accessories, gifts, items for baby, and beachy gear for summer living. 231.534.6705, GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM.

Visit a museum

Often Traverse City’s history gets overlooked, but the exhibits at these three local museums show off the rich cultural foundations of the Big City by the Bay.

Music House Museum

This beautiful museum’s main attraction is its collection of antique musical instruments dating from about 1870 to the 1930s. A walking tour gets you up close to rare nickelodeons, pipe organs, music boxes and other music makers from back in the day. Another highlight: the annual silent film series featuring live accompaniment on the museum’s ornate Wurlitzer theater organ. 7377 U.S. 31 N., Williamsburg, 231.938.9300, MUSICHOUSE.ORG.

The region’s premier art museum is just steps from downtown Traverse City, yet tucked away from the hustle and bustle, as it sits among tall pines and a sculpture courtyard on the oasis-like campus of Northwestern Michigan College. All year long, Dennos maintains a dynamic array of exhibitions, including three galleries that showcase national and regional exhibits. Its permanent collections include the nation’s largest and most complete collection of Inuit art, plus the hands-on Discovery Gallery, which will enchant young children—its interactive pieces include an anti-gravity mirror and a “laser harp” that plays music when you pluck its invisible strings. Call or visit online for times, ticket information and a schedule of upcoming exhibits. 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, 231.995.1055, DENNOSMUSEUM.ORG

Poke around local art galleries. No rush if the skies are stormy.

This mixed-media gallery and boutique shines the spotlight on one-of-a-kind studio jewelry, but also offers an eclectic variety of other works by artists from all 50 states. Themes here include antiquity, mystery, contemporary/abstract, upcycled pieces and found art. Of special note is Gallery Fifty’s collection of coveted Fordite and Leland Blue Stone jewelry; the former is a swirling “gem” resulting from hardened automotive paint from Ford’s River Rouge factory near Detroit; the latter is slag with a pretty blue hue leftover from Northern Michigan historic iron ore smelters. 800 COTTAGEVIEW DR., SUITE 50, TRAVERSE CITY, 231.932.0775, GALLERYFIFTY.COM.

Take a look at an interview with Gallery Fifty owner, Christie Minervini.

Bella Galleria

A fine art gallery attached to Old Mission Tavern on Old Mission Peninsula, focusing on original works by more than 75 local and regional artists. Don’t overlook the adjacent sculpture studio, featuring work by Verna Bartnick, owner of the tavern and gallery. If you’re planning an event, ask about renting the banquet room in the middle of the gallery—a gorgeous spot to host any sort of reception. 17015 CENTER RD., TRAVERSE CITY, 231.223.4142,OLDMISSIONTAVERN.COM.

Peninsula Studios

Grab a cup of coffee and muffin

Listen to the rain pit-pattering the windows and sleep in just a little bit longer. Wake up, if only for breakfast, where you can cozy up with a muffin and mug at these four Traverse City eateries.

Potter’s

This classic bakery has been a Traverse City favorite for more than eight decades. Doughnuts, Danishes and muffins are a few of the many choices for a grab-and-go breakfast, but the shop’s new location on Hall Street also has a full menu if you’d like to linger. 231.947.5125, POTTERSBAKERY.COM.

Eurostop

Eurostop’s downtown location makes it a great go-to for nabbing a quick breakfast before a day of shopping Front Street. Take-out choices include breakfast wraps and homemade croissants. 300 E. FRONT ST., 231.421.1168, EUROSTOPCAFE.COM.

Bay Bread

In addition to incredible breads, this West End institution also offers breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, homemade granola bars and coffee too. The blueberry scone with lime icing is a must. 601 RANDOLPH ST., 231.922.8022, BAYBREADCO.COM